On Nov. 13th the Colonels of Nicholls State University took on the Cardinals of the University of Incarnate Word.

The Colonels went into the game with a 5-4 record and a chance to stay alive in the conference while the 7-2 Cardinals looked to keep possession of first place.

The Colonels started the game with the ball, and  they took it 71 yards on 13 plays. However, this drive would end in a Gavin Lasseigne field goal, making the score 3-0 Colonels.

Incarnate Word could only manage one non-penalty yard, as they went three and out, punting it back to the Colonels.

The proceeding 92-yard drive was capped off by a Kohen Granie touchdown pass to Al’Dontre Davis to put the Colonels up 10-0 with 3:41 left in the first quarter.

On the next possession, Incarnate Word methodically drove down to the Nicholls 16-yard line, but a Cameron Ward fumble would give the Colonels the ball back.

After a punt by the Colonels, Incarnate Word would take the momentum with an 8-play, 23-yard drive resulting in a Cameron Ward touchdown toss to Roger McCuller. 

Nicholls and Incarnate Word would then trade punts. The Incarnate Word punt was, however, fumbled on the return by the Colonels, giving the Cardinals the ball with great field position. Nicholls would block an extra point after an Incarnate Word touchdown making the score 13-10 with 8:03 to go in the second quarter.

Nicholls stormed back with an 11-play, 61-yard drive capped off by a Collin Guggenheim touchdown, making the score 17-13 Colonels.

Kevin Johnson would intercept the ball on the ensuing Incarnate Word drive, but Nicholls would only manage a field goal after driving to the Incarnate Word 2-yard line, making the score 20-13 Colonels with eight seconds left in the first half.

The Cardinals went three and out and had to punt on their first drive of the second half; however, Nicholls would fumble another punt, giving the Cardinals the ball. Luckily for the Colonels, Kevin Johnson would intercept Ward once again, giving Nicholls possession at their own 16-yard line.

The Cardinals would go on to score with a 55-yard touchdown run from Kevin Brown after a Colonel turnover on downs.

The next Colonel drive ended on an interception at the Incarnate Word four-yard line. This led to another big touchdown run by Brown, as he scampered for 85 yards. 

The next Incarnate Word drive would end in yet another fumble by Ward.

The Colonels would go 52 yards on their next drive, which ended in a 45-yard field goal. This made the score 27-23 Cardinals.

The Colonel defense would force a punt, giving them the ball back with 7:43 left in the game. They then drove down to the Cardinals 9-yard line, and they were faced with one final fourth-down. Lindsey Scott Jr. was flushed out of the pocket which forced his throw just out of the reach of senior receiver Dai’Jean Dixon.

Incarnate Word would run out the clock after a first down to win the game.

This game was not won or lost by any controllable statistic, but by the uncontrollable. Nicholls’ two fumbled punts, a crazy interception and two long Incarnate Word rushing touchdowns were the difference in this game

This season may not end in a playoff run, but this team played with heart and left it all on the field.

The Student Programming Association (SPA) is giving away tickets to the Colonels’ final game at Southeastern Louisiana University on Nov. 18. Tickets will be given away in the Union on Wednesday, Nov. 17 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. A Colonel Card is needed to receive a ticket.

So, come out and support your seniors in their final game this Thursday at the River Bell Classic in Hammond. Geaux Colonels!